Free Republic

California regulators on Thursday allocated $300 million collected from electricity customers to subsidize purchases and installation of solar energy units in 2006. The action was aimed at "jump starting our implementation of what was originally called the governor's million solar roofs initiative," said California Public Utilities Commission President Mike Peevey. That proposal was "a marquee idea of the governor's ... legislative agenda (but) got bogged down in politics in Sacramento," said PUC member Susan Kennedy, who attended her last meeting after being tapped to become chief of staff for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. A broader plan that would tap ratepayers for...

Attorney named to post on state PUC Dian Grueneich has represented SLO Mothers for PeaceGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed an attorney who represented the San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace to a key regulatory position. Dian Grueneich was appointed Thursday to the state Public Utilities Commission. Until her appointment, Grueneich represented Mothers for Peace in the group's case before the PUC against a steam generator replacement project at Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. "We are thrilled that the commission has someone who has the consumers at heart," said Rochelle Becker, spokeswoman for Mothers for Peace. Pacific Gas and Electric Co.,...